New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-04-11
CENTENNIAL or COLUMBIA COLLEGE.

Columbia College on Wednesday will cclc-
brate the ono hundredth anniversary OF the
revival and confirmation by the State Legis-
lature Of the royal charter granted in 1854
for the establishment of "a college Of the
Province Of New-York in the City of New
York" The exercises TO be held in the Metro
pOhtan Opera House will possess far more than
local interest. although the address of welcome.
the Grafton and the poem are TO be delivered
by alumni of the college. New-York is Justly
proud of Columbia College, whose alumni for
considerably more than hundred years have
been among her foremost citizens 1t has
sent forth thousands of carefully trained stu
dents who have been an honor to the institu-
ton. the city and the Nation.
When the college celebrated lis fftieth
anniversary under tho rcorganized form. there
was only one department-the School of Arts
and it contained only lip students Now
there are nearly 16OO students In at least
seven departments-arts. mines. law, political
science graduate instruction and library econ-
omy. Thus the institution is much nearer a
university than many which bear that title
The School Of Mines for example, is really a
School of Applied Sciences, mining and metal
lurgy being only one of its several departments.
1t was started in 1864 when DR.. Barnard be-
came president Of the college. and its wonder
full development shows how much might be
done toward realizing the dreams Of those who
have the best educational interests of the city
at heart. Dr. Barnard's opinions in regard to
elective studies. the higher education Of women
and post graduate instruction have been too
widely circulated to need reviewing here. His
progressive views have often been held in
check by the traditions of the college and the
conservative tendency Of the Beard of Trustees.
OF later years however, more liberal policy
has been pursued.
This centennial will call public attention
again to the educational facilities of Newly orls
and the city's need of university proper. The
trustees urge that they cannot make Columbia
a university because they arc restricted by q
clause in the charter and hampered by lack Of
funds. -Four years ago they made an appeal
for money to carry out an enlarged scheme Of
instruction. but the treasurer has never had TO
give additional bonds because Of his increased
responsibility. When DR.. Barnard was Chan
cellor of the University of Mississippi he tried
10 establish an institution similar to the ideal
held by the founder Of Cornell University, ono
4in which any one may come for information
and find what he wants On any subject"
That there are scores Of colleges which ought
not TO exist is truism which is only denied
by those who have selfish or local interests to
serve, and yet wealthy men constantly remcm-
her these institutions when dividing their
property. seemingly forgetful that their money
would be used to far greater advantage and
produce far better results if given to an estab-
lishcd institution with history and future.
Cardinal Newman's remark that a great uni
versity must necessarily be in great city IS
another trnism that seems to be overlooked by
our wealthy bcnefactors. Moro than fifty
years ago the founders Of the University Of the
City of New. York saw the need of an insttu-
ton where ost-graduate instruction could be
obtained, and secured charter which looked
to its being true university. but they were
far ahead of their time and 1t was found
necessary to add an academic department. In
1881 an attempt was made to return to the
idea OF the founders, but this was found to
be impossible. A new institution is not ncces-
sary in Ncw-York, but a university Is greatly
needed. There il no reason why young man
should have to 60 abroad TO pursue post
graduate studies. Many men cannot afford
either the time or the expense of year or more
az university in Europe who would gladly
avail themselves of an opportunity to continue
lines OF study which are hardly more than
begun In college.
II would be a most happy result il the cen
tenazy Of Columbia College should lead loyal
alumni and patriotic citizens 10 unite In es-